National Book Festival Celebrates Children's Authors
Compiled by Diane Roback -- Publishers Weekly, 10/2/2008
The 2008 National Book Festival took place in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, September 27.
An estimated 150,000 people attended, along with more than 70 authors and illustrators.
Here we offer a photo-essay of some of the event's highlights.
Ambassador Jon Scieszka, proudly displaying the
medal just given to him by First Lady Laura Bush.
Laura Bush and James Billington, Librarian of Congress, at Friday night’s gala at the
Library of Congress. Dr. Billington presented Mrs. Bush with a medal of her own,
in recognition of her work with the festival during the last eight years.
Scieszka read excerpts from his new memoir, Knucklehead, and summarized the
parts he had been advised not to read aloud.
“Look, Jenna, I got a medal!”
David Carter and Sharon Draper, at Friday night’s black-tie gala.
(From l.): David Shannon, Salman Rushdie and Jon Scieszka.
Charles R. Smith Jr. and Tiki Barber.
The evening's cocktail party took place in the awe-inspiring lobby of the Library of Congress.
Saturday morning at 10 a.m, the National Book Festival got underway.
Pop-up wizards Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart displayed their craft.
Picture book duo Marc Brown and Judy Sierra made a joint appearance at the festival,
the last stop on their tour for Born to Read.
That’s Susan Meddaugh posing with the brand-new Martha costume,
spreading the word about the Martha Speaks show just launched by PBS.
R.L. Stine, meeting a self-proclaimed fan.
Have pen, will sign: Thump, Quack, Moo duo
Betsy Lewin (l.) and Doreen Cronin.
Neil Gaiman faced the press.
David Shannon read from his new picture book, Too Many Toys.
Pop-up bugs, courtesy of David Carter.
“Tell me about your latest book, Ms. Sierra…”
Judith Viorst, resplendent in red.
Former wrestlers Ted Lewin and Joseph Bruchac
practiced their headlock moves.
On a panel for the book Our White House: Looking Out, Looking In,
Lynda Johnson Robb read from her entry, while fellow contributors
Jon Scieszka, Steven Kellogg, Mary Brigid Barrett and Katherine Paterson looked on.
Kadir Nelson and Tiki Barber, at a White House breakfast on Saturday morning.
Is master of horror R.L. Stine trying to give Tiki Barber some football pointers?
Now that would be scary!
(From l.): Judy Sierra, Doreen Rappaport and Kadir Nelson.
“Did I mention they gave me a medal?”
